• Mali's former Prime Minister Moussa Mara sentenced to two years in prison.
• Charges stemmed from a social media post expressing solidarity with political prisoners.
• The ruling signals a crackdown on dissent under military leader Col. Assimi Goita.
• Mara's legal team plans to contest the verdict as a "travesty of justice."
• International observers are raising concerns about democratic backsliding in Mali.

A court in Mali has sentenced former Prime Minister Moussa Mara to two years in prison for a social media post that criticized the military government's actions and expressed solidarity with political prisoners. While the court imposed a one-year prison term and a 12-month suspended sentence, it also fined Mara 500,000 CFA francs (approximately $887), showcasing a significant punitive measure against political dissent under military rule, according to Africanews and Reuters.

Mara’s incarceration has been highlighted as part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Mali, where the military government led by Col. Assimi Goita has faced criticism for dissolving political parties and delaying elections initially promised for 2024. Amnesty International labeled this sentencing as a “travesty of justice,” asserting that it is part of escalating repression against those voicing dissent against the military regime, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The court's ruling is also viewed as a warning to other public figures and reinforces the junta's authority amid increasing jihadist activity in Mali, which has compounded existing political pressures. Mara had previously stated, “As long as the night lasts, the sun will obviously appear!” indicating his commitment to political advocacy despite the risks involved, according to Africanews and Al Jazeera.